Patents by Inventor Stephen R. Burns

Stephen R. Burns has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20140068856
    Abstract: A child containment device and a mattress support assembly for a child containment device providing a generally flat mattress configuration under load of a child supported thereon; a multi-paneled mattress for a child containment device allowing repositioning of mattress panels between an expanded state and a compact state, and wherein in the expanded state, structural couplings maintain the mattress in a generally flat configuration; and a chamfered corner arrangement for resisting curling of a mattress for a child containment device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: KIDS II, INC.
    Inventors: John M. THOMSON, Stephen R. BURNS, Joseph W. STALEY, Chaitanya TADIPATRI, Frank Chih-Feng CHEN, Mark MENDES
  • Publication number: 20140072365
    Abstract: A male inserter and a female receiver fixed to a toy bar and a child-support device for relative movement between upright locked and inclined unlocked positions. The male inserter includes a lock element and the female receiver includes a catch surface. In the upright unlocked position, the male inserter can pass through the female receiver. But in the inclined locked position, the lock element engages and locks against the catch surface. If a child in the child-support device pulls down and/or forward on the toy bar in the locked position, it does not move to the unlocked position. But an upward lifting force applied to the toy bar causes it to pivot from the locked position to the unlocked position and to then detach from the child-support device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: KIDS II, INC.
    Inventors: Stephen R. BURNS, Mark MENDES
  • Patent number: 8308578
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a powered children's swing. In various embodiments, the swing includes a seat, swing frame, one or more swing arms, a first magnetic component, second magnetic component, swing motion sensor, and swing control circuit. The magnetic components are configured to generate a magnetic force that drives the seat along a swing path. The swing control circuit is configured to control the magnetic components based at least on input from the swing motion sensor and generate control signals causing the seat to swing with a substantially constant amplitude as specified by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Kids II, Inc.
    Inventors: David Gilbert, Stephen R. Burns, Peter D. Jackson, Charles Simons, Chen Jing Ru
  • Patent number: 8201291
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a play yard and bassinet assembly combination. The play yard includes upper and lower horizontal frame members vertically spaced apart from each other, vertical frame members disposed between the upper and lower horizontal frame members, first and second redundant support members, and first and second mating redundant support members. The first redundant support member and the second redundant support member are disposed in a spaced apart arrangement adjacent a first vertical frame member a second vertical frame member, respectively. The first and second mating redundant support members are disposed adjacent an outer perimeter of the floor of the bassinet assembly. The first mating redundant support member is configured for engaging the first redundant support member, and the second mating redundant support member is configured for engaging the second redundant support member to provide additional vertical support for the floor of the bassinet assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Kids II, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Burns, Peter D. Jackson, Mark Mendes
  • Patent number: 8141186
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a bassinet assembly includes a floor and one or more side walls that extend upwardly from a perimeter of the floor and surround the floor. Each side wall has an upper perimeter and includes a mesh portion that extends substantially the height of the side wall from the upper perimeter to the floor. Each side wall also includes a substantially solid wall portion that extends from the upper perimeter to an intermediate portion disposed between the upper perimeter and the floor. At least a portion of the side wall between the intermediate portion and the floor of the bassinet assembly is mesh to allow a child lying therein to breathe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2012
    Assignee: Kids II, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen R. Burns, Peter D. Jackson, Mark Mendes
  • Patent number: 8042869
    Abstract: A child seat liner provides a comfortable, safe, and hygienic environment for a child seated in a seat such as a shopping cart or a highchair. Child seat liners according to various embodiments of the invention include padding around the leg openings, multiple storage areas for the caregiver, a continuous, elastic front edge for stretching over and gripping a handle of a shopping cart or a front of a seat, one or more sets of fasteners for securing the liner in a rolled-up position, and an adjustable strap that allows the liner to be secured to the back of the seat more securely.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventors: Christopher McClintock, Stephen R. Burns, Debbie Dunn
  • Patent number: 7882579
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a bassinet assembly that includes one or more rods and a floor that includes an inclinable flap. Each rod has a static portion and an inclined portion, and the rods are disposed below upper surfaces of the floor and the inclinable flap. A first longitudinal axis of the static portion and a second longitudinal axis of the inclined portion intersect at an angle greater than 0° and less than about 90°. When the inclinable flap is raised above the floor, the rods rotate about the first longitudinal axis such that the first and second longitudinal axes are in a plane substantially perpendicular to the support surface, and when the inclinable flap is allowed to lay substantially flat against the floor, the rods rotate about the first longitudinal axis such that the first and second longitudinal axes are in a plane substantially parallel to the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventors: Peter D. Jackson, Stephen R. Burns, Mark Mendes
  • Publication number: 20100264719
    Abstract: A retention device is assembled to a child containment device and is rotatable about each side of the retention device. In particular, the retention device (e.g., a tray or toy bar) includes a first engagement portion adjacent a first end of the retention device and a second engagement portion adjacent a second end of the retention device. The child containment device includes a seat portion, a first frame member adjacent a first side of the seat portion, and a second frame member adjacent a second side of the seat portion. Mating engagement portions are disposed on each frame member and engage the engagement portions of the retention device. To rotate the retention device relative to the child containment device, one of the engagement portions is disengaged from the respective mating engagement portion, and the retention device is rotated relative the other engagement portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Stephen R. Burns, Jacob M. Sclare
  • Patent number: 7740560
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a stationary exercise apparatus for small children. The apparatus includes an activity table adapted for receiving one or more children's activity items, one or more legs, a seat supported by the legs, and a resilient support surface suspended generally horizontally from at least one of the legs. The seat has a pair of leg openings that allow the child to touch the resilient support surface with its legs, and the resilient support surface has a resiliency that allows the child to bounce vertically by pushing its legs downwardly against the resilient support surface. Furthermore, the distance between the resilient support surface and the seat can be increased or decreased to account for the height of the child placed within the apparatus by moving the resilient support surface, and a tension element of the resilient support surface can be adjusted to account for the child's strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Kids II, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. Tadin, Stephen R. Burns, Jacob M. Sclare, James E. Cartabiano
  • Patent number: 7739759
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a bassinet assembly that includes an inclinable floor that can be supported above a support surface using one or more zippers. For example, the bassinet assembly includes a floor and side walls that extend upwardly from and surround the floor. The floor includes an inclinable flap, and a row of zipper teeth are disposed along at least a portion of a perimeter of the inclinable flap. A mating row of zipper teeth are disposed on at least a portion of the side walls, and when one or more zippers engage the rows of zipper teeth to join them together, the inclinable flap is secured at an angle greater than 0° relative to the floor. In addition, various embodiments are directed to a bassinet assembly that can be secured within a play yard using one or more zippers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Kids II, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Mendes, Stephen R. Burns, Peter D. Jackson
  • Publication number: 20100151951
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a powered children's swing. In various embodiments, the swing includes a seat, swing frame, one or more swing arms, a first magnetic component, second magnetic component, swing motion sensor, and swing control circuit. The magnetic components are configured to generate a magnetic force that drives the seat along a swing path. The swing control circuit is configured to control the magnetic components based at least on input from the swing motion sensor and generate control signals causing the seat to swing with a substantially constant amplitude as specified by a user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Inventors: DAVID GILBERT, STEPHEN R. BURNS, PETER D. JACKSON, CHARLES SIMONS, CHEN JING RU
  • Patent number: 7614979
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention are directed to a stationary exercise apparatus for providing exercise functionality for small children that includes first and second upper frame members and first and second base frame members that are coupled to first and second stationary hubs, an activity table, a seat, and one or more resilient members that suspend the activity table and seat between the upper frame members. The upper frame members extend upwardly and in a radially outward direction from the stationary hubs, and the base frame members extend downwardly and in a radially outward direction from the stationary hubs to engage a support surface. The one or more resilient members have a resiliency that allows a child within the apparatus to bounce vertically relative to the support surface in response to the child pushing its legs against the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Kids II, Inc.
    Inventors: John Matthew Thomson, Stephen R. Burns, Jacob M. Sclare, James E. Cartabiano
  • Publication number: 20090077741
    Abstract: According to various embodiments, a bassinet assembly includes a floor and one or more side walls that extend upwardly from a perimeter of the floor and surround the floor. Each side wall has an upper perimeter and includes a mesh portion that extends substantially the height of the side wall from the upper perimeter to the floor. Each side wall also includes a substantially solid wall portion that extends from the upper perimeter to an intermediate portion disposed between the upper perimeter and the floor. At least a portion of the side wall between the intermediate portion and the floor of the bassinet assembly is mesh to allow a child lying therein to breathe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Stephen R. Burns, Peter D. Jackson, Mark Mendes
  • Publication number: 20090077739
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a bassinet assembly that includes an inclinable floor that can be supported above a support surface using one or more zippers. For example, the bassinet assembly includes a floor and side walls that extend upwardly from and surround the floor. The floor includes an inclinable flap, and a row of zipper teeth are disposed along at least a portion of a perimeter of the inclinable flap. A mating row of zipper teeth are disposed on at least a portion of the side walls, and when one or more zippers engage the rows of zipper teeth to join them together, the inclinable flap is secured at an angle greater than 0° relative to the floor. In addition, various embodiments are directed to a bassinet assembly that can be secured within a play yard using one or more zippers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Mark Mendes, Stephen R. Burns, Peter D. Jackson
  • Publication number: 20090077742
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a collapsible play yard and bassinet assembly combination. The floor of the play yard comprises a release mechanism attached to lower horizontal frame members of the play yard, and when the release mechanism is engaged, the lower horizontal frame members are moved upwardly and inwardly to collapse the play yard. The bassinet assembly has a floor and one or more side walls that have an upper perimeter, and the upper perimeter is adapted for securing adjacent the upper perimeter of the play yard. The floor of the bassinet assembly also defines an opening that allows a user to reach through the opening to access and engage the release mechanism without removing the bassinet assembly from the play yard.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Stephen R. Burns, Peter D. Jackson, Mark Mendes
  • Publication number: 20090077740
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a bassinet assembly that includes one or more rods and a floor that includes an inclinable flap. Each rod has a static portion and an inclined portion, and the rods are disposed below upper surfaces of the floor and the inclinable flap. A first longitudinal axis of the static portion and a second longitudinal axis of the inclined portion intersect at an angle greater than 0° and less than about 90°. When the inclinable flap is raised above the floor, the rods rotate about the first longitudinal axis such that the first and second longitudinal axes are in a plane substantially perpendicular to the support surface, and when the inclinable flap is allowed to lay substantially flat against the floor, the rods rotate about the first longitudinal axis such that the first and second longitudinal axes are in a plane substantially parallel to the support surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Peter D. Jackson, Stephen R. Burns, Mark Mendes
  • Publication number: 20090077738
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a play yard and bassinet assembly combination. The play yard includes upper and lower horizontal frame members vertically spaced apart from each other, vertical frame members disposed between the upper and lower horizontal frame members, first and second redundant support members, and first and second mating redundant support members. The first redundant support member and the second redundant support member are disposed in a spaced apart arrangement adjacent a first vertical frame member a second vertical frame member, respectively. The first and second mating redundant support members are disposed adjacent an outer perimeter of the floor of the bassinet assembly. The first mating redundant support member is configured for engaging the first redundant support member, and the second mating redundant support member is configured for engaging the second redundant support member to provide additional vertical support for the floor of the bassinet assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Stephen R. Burns, Peter D. Jackson, Mark Mendes
  • Publication number: 20090077775
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a zipper pull tab lock for releasably securing a zipper pull tab to prevent movement of a zipper relative to rows of zipper teeth. A protrusion or paw within the zipper pull tab lock engages the hole defined in the zipper pull tab to prevent removal of the zipper pull tab from the zipper pull tab lock. To release the zipper pull tab from the zipper pull tab lock, a user depresses an release tab (or button) disposed adjacent the upper surface of the zipper pull tab lock, which causes the protrusion or paw within the zipper pull tab lock to move downwardly and disengage from the hole of the zipper pull tab, allowing the pull tab to be slidably disengaged from the zipper pull tab lock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventors: Stephen R. Burns, Mark Mendes
  • Patent number: 7507162
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a children's exercise and activity apparatus. The apparatus includes an activity table, a seat, a connecting beam for connecting the seat to the activity table, and one or more legs connected to and depending downwardly from the seat to the floor to support the seat and prevent the seat from tipping over when a child is supported therein. The seat has a pair of leg openings that allow the child to touch the floor with its legs, and the connecting beam is rotatably connected to the activity table so that the child in the seat can travel in an orbital path around the activity table. In addition, the angular rotation of the seat may be limited to prevent the child from rotating the seat to a point at which the child could walk along the floor and move the apparatus along with the child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Kids II, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter D. Jackson, Jeffrey S. Tadin, Stephen R. Burns, Jacob M. Sclare, James E. Cartabiano
  • Publication number: 20090015046
    Abstract: A child seat liner provides a comfortable, safe, and hygienic environment for a child seated in a seat such as a shopping cart or a highchair. Child seat liners according to various embodiments of the invention include padding around the leg openings, multiple storage areas for the caregiver, a continuous, elastic front edge for stretching over and gripping a handle of a shopping cart or a front of a seat, one or more sets of fasteners for securing the liner in a rolled-up position, and an adjustable strap that allows the liner to be secured to the back of the seat more securely.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventors: Christopher McClintock, Stephen R. Burns, Debbie Dunn